Calf Exerciser

ABSTRACT

The present invention is dedicated to a calf exerciser including a foot unit having foot-palm and heel support surfaces. The foot unit provides efficient resistance training of calf muscles by permitting both eversion or inversion movements of the foot-palm in synchronization with the plantar flexion dorsiflexion muscular contraction. This is achieved by inclining the foot-palm support surface either towards the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, by anteo-posteriolly curving the heel support surface from the foot-palm surface to the bottom of the foot unit and by including a gradual inclination of the heel support surface towards the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, thus forming a variable angulation foot sole gradient area. This variable angulation foot sole gradient area accentuates the eversion and inversion movements at the foot-palm and reduces the biomechanical stress by eliminating coronal rotation at the heel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a calf exerciser.

BACKGROUND

The world of physical training has greatly evolved over the years, whichhas seen significant improvements in training equipment and apparatusdue to technological innovations as well as a better understanding ofthe human body. Regardless of this evolution, there are still some caseswhere the technological development has not followed the course of theevolution in knowledge or new physical training tendencies, andespecially in the case of leg resistance training.

A common complaint from athletes is that of a saturation effect in themuscular development of their calves. For a number of athletes, themuscular development efficiency curve quickly saturates and tends toeven decline after a few training sessions based upon conventionaltraining methods. As the calves represent a very important muscularsystem for many sporting disciplines, and that there are no apparatus ormethod that significantly improves the efficiency of conventionaltraining methods, there is a reel need to provide such an apparatus.

Conventional calves resistance training techniques may provide goodresistance training in conformance with natural movements if they areproperly executed using appropriate equipment. The efficiency of thosemovements is regretfully limited because the training is geared mainlyto the overall muscular system. The muscular contraction of a singlespecific muscle is very difficult to achieve with those types equipment.As may be seen in FIG. 1, the prior-art equipment foot-rest (2),providing support to the feet (4) of the user (6), is not appropriatefor effective power and strength training. The flat-uniform surface witha 90 degree support area of the foot-rest (2) does not provide thenecessary stability and comfort for an intense training session, doesnot restrain adequately the movement of the feet (4) and does notemphasize proper biomechanical mobility of the ankle joints during theexercise. After a number of repetitions, the feet (4) have a tendency tomove out of alignment with the natural axis of the movement.Furthermore, the rectangular shape of the common foot-rest (2) causes apressure line at the metatarsals (8), which obstructs blood flow, whichbecomes very uncomfortable for the user (4). Finally, these foot-rests(2) do not allow a proper positioning of the feet (4) in accordance withthe specific anatomy and the biomechanics of the leg-ankle-footmusculo-skeletal mechanism.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is provided, in accordance with one aspect of thepresent invention, a calf exerciser including a foot unit havingfoot-palm and heel support surfaces. The foot unit provides efficientresistance training of calf muscles by permitting both eversion orinversion movements of the foot-palm in synchronization with the plantarflexion dorsiflexion muscular contraction. This is achieved by incliningthe foot-palm support surface either towards the exterior or theinterior sides of the foot unit, by anteo-posteriolly curving the heelsupport surface from the foot-palm surface to the bottom of the footunit and by including a gradual inclination of the heel support surfacetowards the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, thusforming a variable angulation foot sole gradient area. This variableangulation foot sole gradient area accentuates the eversion andinversion movements at the anterior part of the foot (foot-palm) andreduces the biomechanical stress by eliminating coronal rotation at theposterior part of the foot (heel).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a calf exerciser comprising:

at least one foot unit, each of the at least one foot unit comprising:

a heel section comprising:

a first heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left anda right edges, the first heel support surface anterior edge forming afirst downward left incline from the right edge to the left edge, thefirst heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward leftincline from the right edge to the left edge and the first heel supportsurface forming an anteo-posterior curve;

a second heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a rightand a left edges, the second heel support surface anterior edge forminga first downward right incline from the left edge to the right edge, thesecond heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downwardright incline from the left edge to the right edge and the second heelsupport surface forming an anteo-posterior curve;

wherein the first heel support surface right edge and the second heelsupport surface left edge are adjacent;

a foot-palm section comprising:

a first foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, aleft and a right edges, the foot-palm support surface forming a downwardleft incline from the right edge to the left edge;

a second foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, aright and a left edges, the foot-palm support surface forming a downwardright incline from the left edge to the right edge;

wherein the first foot-palm support surface right edge and the secondfoot-palm support surface left edge are adjacent;

wherein the first heel support surface anterior edge and the firstfoot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent;

wherein the second heel support surface anterior edge and the secondfoot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a calf exerciser wherein the foot-palm section comprises asingle foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, aleft, and a right edges and a pivot having an axis of rotation orientedfrom the posterior edge to the anterior edge such that the foot-palmsupport surface may be selectively inclined either towards the left edgeor the right edge.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a calf exerciser wherein the support unit includes at least oneguide and each of the at least one foot unit further comprises a sliderelement moveably engageable to the at least one guide and wherein eachof the at least one foot unit further comprises a locking element whichis operable with the support unit for stopping the foot unit frommoving.

In accordance with a further still aspect of the present invention, acalf exerciser foot unit, comprising:

a heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a first side anda second side edges, the first and second side edges being generally inalignment with an anteo-posterior axis, the heel support surfaceanterior edge forming a first downward incline from the first side edgeto the second side edge, the heel support surface posterior edge forminga second downward incline from the first side edge to the second sideedge and the heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve;

a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a firstside and a second side edges, the first and second side edges beinggenerally in alignment with the anteo-posterior axis, the foot-palmsupport surface forming a downward incline from the first side edge tothe second side edge;

wherein the heel support surface anterior edge and the foot-palm supportsurface posterior edge are adjacent.

In accordance with a further still aspect of the present invention,there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with heel support surfaceanterior and posterior downward inclines at angles between 4 and 15degrees.

In accordance with a further still aspect of the present invention;there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with foot-palm supportsurface downward incline at angles between 4 and 15 degrees.

In accordance with a further still aspect of the present invention,there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with a foot-palm supportsurface posteo-anterior downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a user training with a prior art calf exerciser.

FIG. 2 shows a user training with a calf exerciser.

FIG. 3 is an perspective view of the calf exerciser.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a foot unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled foot unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and showing thesupport surface in the right incline.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and showing thesupport surface in the left incline.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partial foot unit without the footpalm support block and without the side walls.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and showing asupport surface having both a right and a left incline.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partial foot unit separated into twoparts, one having a right incline and another having a left incline.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the footunit of FIG. 5 where the side walls are replaced by a support harness.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a foot unit module.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an incline surface.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support unit.

FIG. 15 shows the calf exerciser being used in a free weightconfiguration.

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the calf exerciser being usedin a machine weight configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a user (6) training with a calfexerciser (10) in accordance with a particular embodiment of the presentinvention. The calf exerciser (10), as best shown in FIG. 3, maycomprise two foot units (100), which may accommodate either foot, onefor the left foot and one for the right foot, and a support unit (200),each of which will be further described below.

For the sake of clarity the right foot unit is described and as such isgenerally positioned at the right of the support unit (200). However, itis to be understood that the left foot unit is similar to the right footunit but that it is generally positioned at the left of the support unit(200) and that the lateral and medial references are interchanged.Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the right side and theleft side of the foot unit (100) are in reference to a view from itsheel portion to its foot palm portion. Thus, when describing the rightfoot unit the lateral (external) side corresponds to the right side ofthe foot unit (100) and the medial (internal) side corresponds to theleft side of the foot unit (100). Similarly, if the left foot unit wasto be described, the medial (internal) side would correspond to theright side of the foot unit (100) and the lateral (external) side wouldcorrespond to the left side of the foot unit (100).

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exploded perspective view ofa foot unit (100). In the particular embodiment, the foot unit (100),positioned at the right side of the support unit (200), comprises a mainmodule (110), an anterior block (130), a foot-palm support block (140),a rod (144), a pair of laterally spaced, opposed medial (146) andlateral (148) walls, an anterior wall (149), a set of slider blocks(152, 156) and a locking block (160). FIG. 5 shows a perspective view ofthe various components of the foot unit (100) assembled. The foot unit(100) may be made, for example, of polymer, aluminium, steel, compositematerial, carbon fiber, Kevlar™, fibreglass, hardwood or any combinationthereof.

Referring to FIG. 6, a heel lateral (external) incline (112) and medial(internal) incline (114), as well as a foot-palm support block (140)form a main module (110) support surface (150) that may support the foot(4) of the user (6), imposing either an eversion, i.e. towards theoutside, or inversion, i.e. towards the inside, movement during plantarflexion. This eversion or inversion movement may be achieved byinclining the foot-palm support block (140) either towards the exterioror the interior such that the foot is placed on the exterior (lateral)or the interior (medial) side, respectively, of the main module (110)support surface (150). The support surface (150) may thus provide twodifferent inclinations, each corresponding to a specific muscular regionof the calf: the lateral inclination corresponding to calf musclesassociated with the eversion movement and plantar flexion such as thelateral gastrocnenius, as shown by the grey zone identified by numeral(151) in FIG. 6, and the medial inclination corresponding to calfmuscles associated with the inversion movement and plantar flexion suchas the head medial gastrocnenius, as shown by the grey zone identifiedby numeral (153) in FIG. 7. The heel lateral incline (112) and medialincline (114) have a posteo-anterior curvature such that the theirintersection with the foot palm support block (140), when the foot palmsupport block (140) inclined laterally or medially, respectively, formsa continuous support surface (150) and have a 0 degree inclination atthe bottom of the main module (110). The resulting support surface isknown as the variable angulation foot sole gradient area. The variableangulation foot sole gradient area has two functions: a first functionis to accentuate the eversion and inversion movements at the anteriorpart of the foot, meaning the part of the foot including themetatarso-phalangeal joint and the toes, which are essential to anefficient resistance workout of the calf muscles and the second functionis to reduce bio-structure stress by eliminating coronal rotation at theposterior part of the foot, meaning behind the metatarso-phalangealjoint. In gradually reducing the inclination of the support surface fromthe toes towards the heel, the support surface (150) properly copies thebiomechanics of the foot.

In order to induce either an lateral or an medial incline to thefoot-palm support block (140), the main module (110) further comprises acenter pivot spine (116), as best shown in FIG. 8, and two sets ofmatched inclination support surfaces; a set of lateral inclinationsupport surfaces (117, 121) and a set of medial inclination supportsurfaces (118, 122). Each set of matched inclination surfaces, (117,121) and (118, 122), comprises a center support surface (117) and (118)and an edge support surface (121) and (122). The foot-palm support block(140) which has a palm positioning area (141), is positioned on top ofthe center pivot spine (116) and is held in place by a rod (144) passingthrough a hollow channel (142) within the foot-palm support block (140),as best seen in FIG. 4, and secured at one end by engaging a posteriorreceptive cavity (124) in the main module (110), and at another end byengaging an anterior receptive cavity (132) in the front block (130),which is secured to the main module (110). In use, when the weight ofthe user (6) is biased towards the medial side, the foot-palm supportblock (140) pivots towards the inside until it rests upon both thecenter (117) and edge (121) medial support surfaces. Conversely, whenthe weight of the user (6) is biased towards the lateral side, thefoot-palm support block (140) pivots towards the outside until it restsupon both the center (118) and edge (122) lateral support surfaces. FIG.6 shows the foot-palm support block (140) in the lateral inclinationstate, while FIG. 7 shows it in the medial inclination state. Asmentioned previously, the description of the main module (110) asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 assumes that it is used for the right footof the user (6), in the case where the illustrated main module (110)were to be used for the left foot then FIGS. 7 and 8 would be showingthe foot-palm support block (140) in the medial and lateral inclinationstates, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, thefoot-palm support block (140) may be incorporated into the main module(110) so as to be fixed and have both an lateral incline (143) and anmedial incline (145). In another alternative embodiment, shown in FIG.10, the main module may be separated in two. In the case where thisembodiment is used for resistance training of the lateral part of thecalf muscles (eversion movement and plantar flexion), foot unit (100 a)is used for the right foot of the user (6) and foot unit (100 b) is usedfor the left foot of the user (6), both foot units (100 a, 100 b)creating lateral inclines. In the case where this embodiment is used forresistance training of the medial part of the calf muscles (inversionmovement and plantar flexion), foot unit (100 a) is used for the leftfoot of the user (6) and foot unit (100 b) is used for the right foot ofthe user (6), both foot units (100 a, 100 b) creating medial inclines.

Optionally, a pair of laterally spaced, opposed medial (146) and lateral(148) walls and an anterior (149) wall, as best shown in FIG. 5, areprovided so as to help prevent the foot (4) of the user (6) fromslipping out of position during use. In an alternative embodiment, shownin FIG. 11, the walls (146, 148, 147) may be replaced by an adjustmentharness (149) that supports the exterior and the front of the foot (4)and immobilizes the foot during plantar flexion movements. The height ofthe adjustment harness may diminish gradually until it is minimal at theheel. There is thus maximum support at the front of the foot and minimumsupport at the tarsometatarsial articulation. This provides support forthe proper execution of the movement as well as the necessary freedom inthe final phase of the movement, this freedom being essential to anatural plantar flexion. The adjustment harness (149) may also be, forexample, in the form of a partial training shoe (not shown)

All of the calves muscle training movements involve hyperdorsiflexionthat bends the sole of the foot (4) in a concave manner. Thedorsiflexion curvature of the heel incline surfaces (112, 114) rendersthis position comfortable by eliminating the pressure line under thefoot (4). This characteristic eliminates the blood blockage sensationusually experienced with conventional foot-rests (2), such as, forexample, the one illustrated in FIG. 1. The posteo-anterior curvature(111) of the heel incline surfaces (112, 114), as shown in FIG. 12, ismathematically determined in order to adequately and effectively adaptto the biomechanics of the foot.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, five basic parameters may be used tospecify the heel lateral (112) and medial (114) inclines; the heelanterior inclination angle β, the heel posterior inclination angle δ,the posteo-anterior curvature (111), length L and height h. It is to beunderstood that although FIG. 13 shows the heel anterior (β) andposterior (δ) inclination angles for the heel medial incline (114), thesame angles apply to the heel lateral incline (112). The posteo-anteriorcurvature (111) may be expressed as a mathematical function of length Land height h such as, for example, the equation of an ellipse:

$\begin{matrix}{{\frac{x^{2}}{h^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{L^{2}}} = 1.} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

For practical purposes, the height h may be expressed in terms of lengthL as:

h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.  Equation 2

In the particular embodiment shown, the length L is set to 110 mm andthe proportionality factor F is set to 1.25. As it may be understood,the expression of the posteo-anterior curvature (111) is not limited tothe mathematical function of Equation 1 and may be expressed as, forexample, other curvilinear mathematical functions. It may also beunderstood that different values of length L and proportionality factorF may be selected.

The remaining parameters β and δ may be both set, in the particularembodiment, at 8 degrees. In alternative embodiments, β and δ may be setfrom 4 to 15 degrees. In a further alternative embodiment, the foot unit(100) may be designed such that β and δ are user (6) adjustable.

As may be seen in FIG. 12, the set of lateral inclination supportsurfaces (118) and (122) may be downwardly inclined in theposteo-anterior axis at an angle θ. It is to be understood that in theevent that the set of lateral inclination support surfaces (118) and(122) are inclined at an angle θ, even though they are not shown, theset of medial inclination support surfaces (117) and (121) will also beinclined downwardly in the posteo-anterior axis at an angle θ. Theposteo-anterior inclination of the foot-palm support block (140) helpsto improve the stability and accentuate the hyperdorsiflexion of thefoot (4) during training movements because the increase in angulardistance between the heel lateral (112) and medial (114) inclines andthe foot-palm support block (140). In the particular embodiment θ may beset at 10 degrees. In alternative embodiments, θ may be set from 0 to 15degrees. In a further alternative embodiment, the foot unit (100) may bedesigned such that θ is user (6) adjustable.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the two foot units (100) engage with thesupport unit (200). This allows the user (6) to set the spacing betweeneach foot unit (100) as best suits him or her. Furthermore, the supportunit (200) provides stability to the calf exerciser (10) duringexercising.

The support unit (200), such as in the particular embodiment illustratedin FIG. 14, generally comprises a base (202) supported by a beam (204)connected to two or more legs (206, 208, 210). In an alternateembodiment, the support unit (200) may not have any legs (206, 208, 210)or beam (204) and thus have its base (202) lying directly upon asurface. In a further embodiment, the support unit (200) may be embeddedwithin a Nautilus™ type mechanical structure comprising resistancemechanism such as, for example, a weight stack, elastics, etc. When thesupport unit (200) is part of a mechanical structure, the central leg(210) may be replaced by a connection to the mechanical structure.

On the base (202), between two end plates (212, 214) are disposed, in agenerally parallel configuration, a set of guides (216, 218) and a rail(220), the rail (220) having a number of slots (222) therein. As may beseen in FIG. 4, each main module (110) comprises a recess (126) whereare located the set of slider blocks (152, 156) which are designed suchas to be movably engageable with the set of guides (216, 218) usingcorresponding openings (154, 158), respectively. This ensures that eachfoot unit (100) may move in a single translation axis.

Also, located in the recess (126) is a locking block (160) which ispositioned so as to be generally above the rail (220) when the sliderblocks (152, 156) are engaged with the guides (216, 218). The lockingblock (160) comprises a locking mechanism (162) having a handle (164)operatively connected with a pin (166) which is biased outwardly fromthe locking mechanism (162). The handle (164) and the pin (166) areoperatively connected such that pulling the handle (164) as for effectthe retraction of the pin (166) into the locking mechanism (162). Whenthe slider blocks (152, 156) are engaged with the guides (216, 218), thelocking block (160) is positioned above the rail (220) in such a mannerthat the pin (166) of the locking mechanism (162) is in alignment withand engages a slot (222). The foot unit (100) is thus locked in placewhen the pin (166) is engaged with a slot (222) and may be moved bypulling on the handle (164), thus retracting the pin (166) into thelocking mechanism (162), so that the foot unit (100) is free to movealong the guides (216, 218). To lock the foot unit (100) in place oncemore, the handle (164) is released so as to allow the pin (166) toengage a slot (222) at the desired position along the rail (220).

In use, the particular embodiment of the calf exerciser (10) may be usedin a free weight configuration, as shown in FIG. 15, while itsalternative embodiment may be used in a machine weight configuration, asshown in FIG. 16.

Although the present invention has been described by way of particularembodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted that it will beapparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be appliedto the present particular embodiment without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

1. A calf exerciser comprising: at least one foot unit, each of said atleast one foot unit comprising: a heel section comprising: a first heelsupport surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a rightedges, said first heel support surface anterior edge forming a firstdownward left incline from said right edge to said left edge, said heelsupport surface posterior edge forming a second downward left inclinefrom said right edge to said left edge and said first heel supportsurface forming an anteo-posterior curve; a second heel support surfacehaving an anterior, a posterior, a right and a left edges, said firstheel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward rightincline from said left edge to said right edge, said heel supportsurface posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from saidleft edge to said right edge and said second heel support surfaceforming an anteo-posterior curve; wherein said first heel supportsurface right edge and said second heel support surface left edge areadjacent; a foot-palm section comprising: a first foot-palm supportsurface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, saidfoot-palm support surface forming a downward left incline from saidright edge to said left edge; a second foot-palm support surface havingan anterior, a posterior, a right and a left edges, said foot-palmsupport surface forming a downward right incline from said left edge tosaid right edge; wherein said first foot-palm support surface right edgeand said second foot-palm support surface left edge are adjacent;wherein said first heel support surface anterior edge and said firstfoot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent; wherein saidsecond heel support surface anterior edge and said second foot-palmsupport surface posterior edge are adjacent.
 2. The apparatus as definedin claim 1, further comprising a support unit for supporting said atleast one foot unit.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, whereinsaid support unit includes at least one guide and each of said at leastone foot unit further comprises a slider element moveably engageable tosaid at least one guide.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, whereineach of said at least one foot unit further comprises a locking elementwhich is operable with said support unit for stopping said foot unitfrom moving.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein saidfoot-palm section comprises a single foot-palm support surface having ananterior, a posterior, a left, and right edges and a pivot having anaxis of rotation oriented from said posterior edge to said anterior edgesuch that said foot-palm support surface may be selectively inclinedeither towards said left edge or said right edge.
 6. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first foot-palm support surface furtherforming a posteo-anterior downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15degrees.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said firstfoot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at anangle of 10 degrees.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, whereinsaid first foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward inclineangle is adjustable.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid second foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anteriordownward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
 10. The apparatusas defined in claim 9, wherein said second foot-palm support surfaceposteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of 10 degrees.
 11. Theapparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said second foot-palm supportsurface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is adjustable.
 12. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first foot-palm supportsurface downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees.13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said first foot-palmsupport surface downward left incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 14.The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said first foot-palmsupport surface downward left incline an is adjustable.
 15. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second foot-palm supportsurface downward right incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees.16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said second foot-palmsupport surface downward right incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 17.The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said second foot-palmsupport surface downward right incline angle is adjustable.
 18. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first heel support surfacefirst downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees. 19.The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said first heel supportsurface first downward left incline is at an angle of 8 degrees.
 20. Theapparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said first heel supportsurface first downward left incline angle is adjustable.
 21. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first heel support surfacesecond downward left incline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees.22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said first heelsupport surface second downward left incline is at an angle of 8degrees.
 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said firstheel support surface second downward left incline angle is adjustable.24. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second heelsupport surface first downward right incline is at an angle between 4and 15 degrees.
 25. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein saidsecond heel support surface first downward right incline is at an angleof 8 degrees.
 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein saidsecond heel support surface first downward right incline angle isadjustable.
 27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said secondheel support surface second downward right incline is at an anglebetween 4 and 15 degrees.
 28. The apparatus as defined in claim 27,wherein said second heel support surface second downward right inclineis at an angle of 8 degrees.
 29. The apparatus as defined in claim 27,wherein said second heel support surface second downward right inclineangle is adjustable.
 30. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid foot-palm section further comprises a left, a right and an anteriorwalls.
 31. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot-palmsection further comprise a harness to help maintain a foot of a user inposition.
 32. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said firstheel support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal.
 33. Theapparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein said ellipsoidal curve isexpressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h:${\frac{x^{2}}{h^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{L^{2}}} = 1.$
 34. The apparatus asdefined in claim 33, wherein said height h may be expressed in terms oflength L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.
 35. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein said second heel support surface anteo-posterior curveis ellipsoidal.
 36. The apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein saidellipsoidal curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length Land height h: ${\frac{x^{2}}{h^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{L^{2}}} = 1.$
 37. Theapparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said height h may be expressedin terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.
 38. A calf exerciserfoot unit, comprising: a heel support surface having an anterior, aposterior, a first side and a second side edges, said first and secondside edges being generally in alignment with an anteo-posterior axis,said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downward inclinefrom said first side edge to said second side edge, said heel supportsurface posterior edge forming a second downward incline from said firstside edge to said second side edge and said heel support surface formingan anteo-posterior curve; a foot-palm support surface having ananterior, a posterior, a first side and a second side edges, said firstand second side edges being generally in alignment with saidanteo-posterior axis, said foot-palm support surface forming a downwardincline from said first side edge to said second side edge; wherein saidheel support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surfaceposterior edge are adjacent.
 39. The apparatus as defined in claim 38,wherein said foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anteriordownward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
 40. The apparatusas defined in claim 39, wherein said foot-palm support surfaceposteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of 10 degrees.
 41. Theapparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein said foot-palm support surfaceposteo-anterior downward incline angle is adjustable.
 42. The apparatusas defined in claim 38, wherein said foot-palm support surface downwardincline is at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees.
 43. The apparatus asdefined in claim 42, wherein said foot-palm support surface downwardincline is at an angle of 8 degrees.
 44. The apparatus as defined inclaim 42, wherein said foot-palm support surface downward incline angleis adjustable.
 45. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein saidheel support surface first downward incline is at an angle between 4 and15 degrees.
 46. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said heelsupport surface first downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees. 47.The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said heel support surfacefirst downward incline angle is adjustable.
 48. The apparatus as definedin claim 38, wherein said heel support surface second downward inclineis at an angle between 4 and 15 degrees.
 49. The apparatus as defined inclaim 48, wherein said heel support surface second downward incline isat an angle of 8 degrees.
 50. The apparatus as defined in claim 48,wherein said heel support surface second downward incline angle isadjustable.
 51. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein saidfoot-palm support surface further comprises a first side, a second sideand an anterior walls.
 52. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, whereinsaid foot-palm support surface further comprises a harness to helpmaintain a foot of a user in position.
 53. The apparatus as defined inclaim 38, wherein said heel support surface anteo-posterior curve isellipsoidal.
 54. The apparatus as defined in claim 53, wherein saidellipsoidal curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length Land height h: ${\frac{x^{2}}{h^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{L^{2}}} = 1.$
 55. Theapparatus as defined in claim 54, wherein said height h may be expressedin terms of length L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.
 56. A calf exercisercomprising: A first foot unit, comprising: a heel support surface havingan anterior, a posterior, a left and a right edges, said heel supportsurface anterior edge forming a first downward left incline from saidright edge to said left edge, said heel support surface posterior edgeforming a second downward left incline from said right edge to said leftedge and said heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; afoot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and aright edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward leftincline from said right edge to said left edge; wherein said heelsupport surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surfaceposterior edge are adjacent; a second foot unit, comprising: a heelsupport surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a rightedges, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first downwardright incline from said left edge to said right edge, said heel supportsurface posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from saidleft edge to said right edge and said heel support surface forming ananteo-posterior curve; a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, aposterior, a left and a right edges, said foot-palm support surfaceforming a downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge;wherein said heel support surface anterior edge and said foot-palmsupport surface posterior edge are adjacent; and a support unit forsupporting said first and said second foot units.
 57. The apparatus asdefined in claim 56, wherein said support unit includes at least oneguide and each of said first and second foot units further comprise aslider element moveably engageable to said at least one guide.
 58. Theapparatus as defined in claim 57, wherein each of said first and secondfoot units further comprise a locking element which is operable withsaid support unit for stopping said first and second units from moving.59. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot unitand said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces further formingposteo-anterior downward inclines at angles between 0 and 15 degrees.60. The apparatus as defined in claim 59, wherein said first foot unit,and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces posteo-anteriordownward inclines are at an angle of 10 degrees.
 61. The apparatus asdefined in claim 59, wherein said first foot unit and said second footunit foot-palm support surfaces posteo-anterior downward inclines anglesare adjustable.
 62. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein saidfirst foot unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and saidsecond foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline are atangles between 4 and 15 degrees.
 63. The apparatus as defined in claim62, wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surface downward leftincline and said second foot unit foot-palm support surface downwardright incline are at an angle of 8 degrees.
 64. The apparatus as definedin claim 62, wherein said first foot unit foot-palm support surfacedownward left incline and said second foot unit foot-palm supportsurface downward right incline angles are adjustable.
 65. The apparatusas defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot unit heel supportsurface first downward left incline and said second foot unit heelsupport surface first downward right incline are at angles between 4 and15 degrees.
 66. The apparatus as defined in claim 65, wherein said firstfoot unit heel support surface first downward left incline and saidsecond foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline areat an angle of 8 degrees.
 67. The apparatus as defined in claim 65,wherein said first foot unit heel support surface first downward leftincline and said second foot unit heel support surface first downwardright incline angles are adjustable.
 68. The apparatus as defined inclaim 56, wherein said first foot unit heel support surface seconddownward left incline and said second foot unit heel support surfacesecond downward right incline are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees.69. The apparatus as defined in claim 68, wherein said first foot unitheel support surface second downward left incline and said second footunit heel support surface second downward right incline are at an angleof 8 degrees.
 70. The apparatus as defined in claim 68, wherein saidfirst foot unit heel support surface second downward left incline andsaid second foot unit heel support surface second downward right inclineangles are adjustable.
 71. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, whereinsaid first foot unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unitfoot-palm support surface further comprise a right, a left and ananterior walls.
 72. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein saidfirst foot unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unitfoot-palm support surface further comprise a harness to help maintain afoot of a user in position.
 73. The apparatus as defined in claim 56,wherein said first foot unit heel support surface and said second footunit heel support surface anteo-posterior curves are ellipsoidal. 74.The apparatus as defined in claim 73, wherein said ellipsoidal curvesare expressed as a mathematical function of length L and height h:${\frac{x^{2}}{h^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{L^{2}}} = 1.$
 75. The apparatus asdefined in claim 74, wherein said height h may be expressed in terms oflength L as: h=F×L, where 0.25≦F≦2.